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2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report series reviews the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl between Illinois and South Carolina. Read the notes here! (Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images)

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

The 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report series rolls on with the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Before we got to the game that featured Illinois and South Carolina, let’s direct your attention to FanDuel odds to win superbowl 2025!

Those who do not understand the Saturday game can never understand the Sunday game. All of this stuff ties together. Go get in on the action before the NFL playoffs start up!

Without further ado, let’s get to the notes. Here are your 2025 NFL Draft Stock Report notes on the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl!

Illinois

Zakhari Franklin might be the only player on this team I care to talk about. Actually, he is the only player I’m going to talk about. Luke Altmeyer sucks. Ditto for whoever this Hank Beatty guy was running around making plays. No hair do not care. If this was an actual playoff game without opt-outs, South Carolina would have killed them and won’t be convinced otherwise.

Franklin, 24, spent four years at UTSA putting up big numbers in the latter of that. Then spent last year at Ole Miss and was invisible. Had a few nice plays finishing the game with four receptions for 39 yards and a score. Right now he looks like a slightly more polished version of Tyquan Thronton. Given the advanced age, is he really going to further improve upon that? I think we have our answer here.

The last Illinois player I was excited about NFL Draft wise was Jer’Zahn Newton, who has since turned into a stud for the Commanders. I’m not trying to be a hater on the program. I just don’t think there is anyone on this iteration of the team that is anywhere close to Newton from last year. You can read that profile here!

South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers isn’t a finished product by any means but he legitimately might be the hardest QB to tackle that I’ve ever seen. I mean nobody can get this guy on the ground. It’s truly remarkable. 6-foot-3 and a solid 245. Just a rare athlete who actually plays QB. Yes, he runs but that’s not his whole game either.

I love his instincts too. It’s a crib thing. You got it or you don’t. He has whatever that it thing is. Improvs well and moves the sticks. A lot of which cause nobody can tackle the load. He’s not accurate enough yet. Needs to take another stride or two up as a passer. Third down drop back area not quite there yet. Didn’t have as much success as a runner than I anticipated. Playing against a Big 10 team that’s going to play competent defense. Just hard for him right now convert third down after third down after third down in the air. Had a RB fumble on his. His weapons aren’t making consistent YAC plays.

Finished the game 24/34 with 260 yards and one touchdown. Didn’t do a ton on the ground with 11 carries for 19 yards. He’s not a bad passer right now. He just has a few inconsistent plays mixed in there that stalled the drive since he wasn’t taking over the game with his legs.

The Air Noland factor is so fascinating to me. Noland is transferring in from Ohio State. Does South Carolina think Sellers is entering the 2026 Draft? Are they just covering their bases just in case? I’d love to know the scoop on where this stands. Because it sure seems like getting Sellers two more years of starts feels like the best thing for his developement. Is Noland really cool with sitting that long? It’s something to watch.

Very happy to see Nyck Harbor finally get going. Has stupid talent but the production hasn’t been there. This was one of his better games this year. Four receptions for 61 yards. That doesn’t sound like a lot but it’s not about the stats. It was about the moments he decided that hey, maybe it’s time to do that thing that DK Metcalf figured out to do. Which is, c’mon man. I’m a freak. I got this thing.

Will be a junior next year. At this point, it’s on him. Go get in the gym every single day. Go run routes every single day. He can be freaky but it’s on him. The growth heading into next year will be what matters. Does he keep getting better or is he a lazy talented guy? We’ll find out eventually.

Joshua Simon had a bad fumble but otherwise looked alright. Six catches for 69 yards and a score. 6-foot-4, 259. I’m not really sure what he is right now. Looks like a C level tight end. Doesn’t have sneaky underrated speed like a Jonnu Smith. Can make some plays in the passing game but does he draw any extra attention away? I’d go with no right now.

Oscar Adaway was the lead back in this one. 14 carries for 69 yards and a score. Pretty obvious there was a downgrade there with Rocket Sanders opting out. If anything, it was a huge difference and should bring more love to the Rocket man. It was like watching the difference between a freight train and a minivan. Not that there is anything wrong with the minivan but you’re not going anywhere seriously with it. Sanders have carved a spot on Draft day. The predraft process will determine how high that is.

Adaway is a senior but he’s 233 and maybe should think about if there’s a shot to become a high level fullback. Not that they’re a talented thing now but the good ones have value. Food for thought.

Jalen Kilgore got another interception. That’s five now and that dude is long. His balls skills have been there all year. Just a sophomore. It seems like Nick Emmanwori will declare. He’s more of a physical safety who also can cover rather than a Ed Reed take away the field safety but something is there. Honestly like a lot of these SC DBs. O’Donnell Fortune should be on your list too.

If you really want to look ahead, go down the 2027 Dylan Stewart rabbit hole. It’s a good time. Jump on in the bandwagon! Oh, and Kyle Kennard was sure missed too in this one. Sometimes those guys provide value by what the team looks like without them on the field. That guy sure made a difference this year and they didn’t rush the passer nearly the same way without him.

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